The Nahmias Cipher Report

The 20th Century Surrealist Painter René Magritte, is one of my favorite artists. I particularly like the Surrealist movement because each person brings their own psychology to bear when interpreting the paintings. Enjoy!

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 23:53 PM EDT, 15 August 2011 The surrealist movement is based on psychologist Dr. Sigmund Freud‘s theories on free association, dream analysis, and the unconscious.  By tapping into the unconscious and portraying it unfettered through painting and photography, the viewer is afforded the opportunity to live vicariously in the waking [...]

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 00:31 AM EDT, Sunday, 7 August 2011 The paintings below feature Odalisque. An Odalisque (Turkish: Odalık) was a female slave in an Ottoman seraglio. She was an assistant or apprentice to the concubines and wives, and she might rise in status to become one of them. Most odalisque were part [...]

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 09:55 AM EDT, 5 August 2011 U.S. federal government officials announced the arrests of 52 people involved in an international online child pornography ring that  exploited children through a bulletin board with the moniker “Dreamboard.” The arrests were the culmination of an investigation launched in late 2009. Code named ‘Operation  [...]

Henna is traditionally used to mark important life events such as marriage. When most people think of henna they recall the designs such as those in the photo to the left. This type of design is a “Bridal Mehndi.” In Africa, there is another more painful tradition of scarification; however, in regions throughout the world where Henna plants are grown and cultivated, women have used this plant for centuries to adorn themselves with exotic and beautiful designs, each as unique as the woman who wears them.

Ayanna Nahmias, Editor-in-Chief Last Modified: 01:43 AM EDT, 18 May 2011 “I paint myself because I am often alone and I am the subject I know best.” – Frida Kahlo MEXICO – Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo are two painters who lived extraordinary lives defying conventional standards of conduct and mores of their day.  Frida [...]

This weekend HBO featured Lady Gaga’s ‘Monster Ball Tour.’ It was during a channel surfing session, that I happened upon the show midway through the concert. It was a captivating spectacle beyond belief. The costumery was so imaginative and outlandish I remained riveted to the program even though the music she was performing at that moment was difficult to hear and overshadowed by the choreography.

Earlier in the day news releases announced that Lady Gaga has more than 10 million followers on Facebook. According to the report, she beat out this era’s other most controversial, charismatic global personality, President Barak Obama by nearly 1 million followers.

Can you imagine Michael Jordan hitting the game winning shot and then asking the media not to say anything? Or Barak Obama winning the presidential election and refusing to talk about his victory? Or You discovering the cure for cancer, but not wanting anyone to know?

Well, that’s in essence what Macy’s Department Stores have done. Macy’s is the top department store chain in the U.S., with more than 800 stores in 45 states and annual sales of more than $26 billion.

Surrealist paintings are some of my favorite and I have featured in this blog the paintings of Rene Magritte, Salvadore Dali, and Max Ernst. This post features the work of Francis Picabia who painted in a wide range of styles from realism to abstraction.

Picabia produced a large body of work that employed biomorphic forms, geometric abstraction and colors of Impressionism. Like other Impressionist artists he often used thick paint to build up a broad abstract background.